Question
Question: Who predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves? Give the wavelength range of the electromagnet...
Who predicted the existence of electromagnetic waves? Give the wavelength range of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Solution
The electromagnetic waves are made due to accelerating charge. The accelerating charge generates an oscillating electric field in apace which generates an oscillating magnetic field, which also helps as a host of oscillating electric fields. The electromagnetic waves comprise a series of waves from gamma rays to radio waves.
Complete step by step answer:
James Clerk Maxwell expected the existence of electromagnetic waves however only visible light was known as electromagnetic waves. However now the electromagnetic waves include visible light waves, X-rays, gamma rays, radio waves, microwaves, ultraviolet and infrared waves.
The classification of electromagnetic waves according to increasing order of frequency or decreasing order of a wavelength is called the electromagnetic spectrum. This classification is founded on how the waves are detected or created.
-Radio waves: Radio waves were formed through the accelerated motion of charges in wire. Radio waves are used in various electronic devices such as radio and television communication systems. Radio waves have high frequencies of 300 gigahertz (GHz) and low frequency of 30 hertz (Hz) . The wavelength conforming to frequency 300GHz is 1mm (which is smaller than the width of a rice grain); the wavelength conforming to frequency 30Hz is 10000km (which is lengthier than the radius of the earth which is 6400km ).
-Microwaves: Microwaves (as well-known as short-wavelength radio waves), through frequencies in the gigahertz (GHz) range. Microwaves are fit for the radar systems used in aircraft navigation for the reason that of their lesser wavelengths. Microwaves are a system of electromagnetic radiation and the wavelength of microwaves ranges from about one meter to one millimetre.
-Infrared waves: Infrared waves are made by hot bodies and molecules. The wavelength range of infrared waves is 400 nanometers (nm) to 1 millimeter (mm) re.
-Visible rays: it is the furthermost familiar form of electromagnetic waves. It is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum that can be detected by the human eye. The frequency of visible waves ranges from 4×1014Hz to 7×1014Hz and the corresponding wavelength is about 700−400nm .
-Ultraviolet rays: it covers wavelength ranging from about 4×10−7m(400nm) to 6×10−10m(0.6nm) . Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is formed by special lamps and very hot bodies. The sun is a significant source of ultraviolet light.
-X-rays: the X-rays lies away from the UV region of the electromagnetic spectrum. X-rays have several medical applications. It shields wavelengths from about 10−8m down to 10−13m .
-Gamma rays: Gamma rays lie in the upper-frequency range of the electromagnetic spectrum and wavelength ranges from 10−10m to less than 10−14m . This high-frequency radiation is produced in nuclear reactions and is also emitted by radioactive nuclei. Gamma rays are used in various fields such as medicine to finish cancer cells.
Note:
In the electromagnetic wave, the lower wavelength of higher frequency waves have more energy. So gamma rays have the most energy and radio waves have the lowest energy. Electromagnetic waves interact with matter via their electric and magnetic fields which are set in oscillation charges present in all matter.